When it comes to jazz violin, history turns up many illustrious names: Stéphane Grappelli, Eddie South, Joe Venuti and, some might say, the granddaddy of them all - Stuff Smith.
Likewise, the current jazz scene has no shortage of active fiddlers such as Emma Fisk, Seonaid Aitken, Daniel John Martin and the featured virtuoso here - Matt Holborn.
Not surprisingly, today's crop frequently find inspiration from their stylistic forebear which, in Holborn's case is Stuff Smith.
Despite seemingly incompatible sparring partners both violinists had no qualms about stepping outside of their comfort zones - Smith with Nat Cole, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, Holborn with Nubya Garcia, Chaka Khan and Tomorrow's Warriors.
Yune' June, one of six originals by Holborn, bears an acknowledged contrafactual resemblance to Ain't She Sweet and has some good stuff by Holborn as well as some pushy drumming from Dessauer.
Squawkin', another original, has a nice, easy, loping along feel to it. Sound bass playing, a nice piano solo and fine fiddling by Holborn reminding me that Stuff Smith once remarked that he's a violinist and not a fiddler!
Desert Sands, recorded by Smith with Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis in 1957, brings Honey Boulton on board. Piano, guitar, bass and, of course, violin all solo maintaining the eastern flavour of the original in the process.
Fable, composed by Holborn, is a dreamy piece that the violinist and the pianist combine to give Morpheus a helping hand in his soporific calling.
Centre Left has Holborn at full throttle. He gives no explanation of the title maybe going along with Smith's maxim that "music starts when words leave off". Dessauer gives it one.
Stop-Look, a second original by Stuff Smith, is based on either Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea or You Took Advantage of me and none the worse for that - they're both good tunes! Boulton has another good workout.
Big Red, based on Smith's favourite violin made in 1946 by Bernard J. LeBlond of Battle Creek, Michigan. Holborn captures the sound and the spirit of the Guarnerius inspired instrument.
Avon, once again Holborn lets the music tell the story in a frisky flowing piece that sees Boulton once more providing the Lang to Holborn's Venuti.
I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You. The Victor Young classic is given a somewhat maudlin treatment echoing what the absent words are saying.
Although it isn't out until April 16, samples can be heard HERE. Lance
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